Michael Chandler scores BRUTAL KO of Dan Hooker in UFC 257 co-main event to announce himself to the world

MICHAEL CHANDLER made an emphatic statement in his long-awaited UFC debut, TKO'ing the No.6-ranked Dan Hooker.

The three-time Bellator lightweight champion made his debut in the early hours of Sunday morning in the co-main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.

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And the 34-year-old proved he very much belongs in the UFC's stacked lightweight division with a huge stoppage win over the dangerous and durable Hooker.

Chandler immediately put pressure on the rangy Hooker but was reluctant to dive in for a takedown early doors.

Hooker looked to keep the vet at bay with inside leg kicks, teeps and knees up the middle.

Chandler, however, began to close the distance and found a home for his right hand.

And moments later, the Sanford MMA ace landed a huge left hook that felled the Kiwi.

Iron Michael didn't let the golden opportunity slip through his hands, unleashing a flurry of strikes to the fallen Hooker.

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Referee Marc Goodard gave Hooker every chance to recover but eventually waved off proceedings, an act that blew the roof off the Etihad Arena.

Chandler went into his UFC debut well aware of the doubts over his legitimacy, although he insisted silencing them wasn't his main goal.

He told SunSport: "The UFC is the longest-standing organisation, it is the highest level. If you're not ranked in the UFC, you're not ranked in a lot of people's eyes.

"If you don't fight in the UFC, you're not a professional mixed martial artist in a lot of people's eyes.

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"I hear those things, I hear those people saying those things. But that's gonna happen no matter what. People are always going to talk.

"When I'm world champion and I'm having phenomenal performances, I'm still gonna hear negativity.

"But for me, it's always been about proving to my supporters and my fans and my followers and my closest inner circle - proving all them right. Not proving the doubters wrong.

"Proving all them right, just as a byproduct, by default, I'll prove everybody else wrong. And then eventually, they'll jump on the bandwagon.

"And eventually they will open their mind and open their heart to, 'Okay, maybe Michael Chandler is the real deal.'

"Then again, maybe they won't. Maybe I'll fall flat on my face on Saturday night and they'll all laugh at me and they're proven right. So we'll see."

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UFC 257

Dustin Poirier def. Conor McGregor via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 2:32

Michael Chandler def. Dan Hooker via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 2:30

Joanne Calderwood def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Makhmud Muradov def. Andrew Sanchez via TKO (flying knee and punches) - Round 3, 2:59

Marina Rodriguez def. Amanda Ribas via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 0:50

Prelims

Arman Tsarukyan def. Matt Frevola via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Brad Tavares def. Antonio Carlos Junior via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Juliana Pena def. Sarah McMann via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 3, 3:39

Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Movsar Evloev def. Nik Lentz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Amir Albazi def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)